Hyperlipoproteinemia enhances susceptibility to acute disseminated Candida albicans infection in low-density-lipoprotein-receptor-deficient mice

Infect Immun. 1997 Jul;65(7):2663-7. doi: 10.1128/iai.65.7.2663-2667.1997.

Abstract

Recent studies have suggested the use of lipoproteins as an adjuvant treatment of lethal gram-negative infections. However, other important microorganisms for the etiology of sepsis, such as Candida species, grow better in lipid-rich environments. We investigated the effect of hyperlipoproteinemia on systemic candidiasis in low-density-lipoprotein-receptor-deficient (LDLR-/-) mice, in which the loss of the receptor results in a seven- to ninefold-higher plasma LDL level than that in their wild-type littermates (C57BL/6J). LDLR-/- mice died earlier, and the outgrowth of Candida albicans in the kidneys and livers of LDLR-/- mice was significantly higher compared with that of controls. After infection, circulating cytokine concentrations were significantly higher in LDLR-/- mice. In vitro, C. albicans grew better in plasma samples of LDLR-/- mice than in control plasma samples and peritoneal macrophages of LDLR-/- mice challenged with heat-killed C. albicans produced more cytokines than did those of controls. This latter phenomenon was probably due to increased binding of yeast cells to macrophages of LDLR-/- mice. These data suggest that hyperlipoproteinemia is deleterious in systemic candidiasis.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Animals
  • Candidiasis / etiology*
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Humans
  • Hyperlipoproteinemias / complications*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Receptors, LDL / deficiency*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Receptors, LDL